Page 47 of A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5)

Bella woke up and felt a ripple of excitement when she remembered she would be seeing Ben. They had so much to catch up on properly rather than their snatched conversations on his breaks and before her shifts started.

He was waiting for her at the Little Rock café and waved as she walked towards him. ‘Hey, how are you?’

‘Good, thanks,’ she said, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. ‘Amazed that we finally have the day off together.’

‘What do you want to do first?’ his eyes lingered on hers.

‘Order some food. I’m starving.’

Ben chuckled.

As he studied the menu, she glanced appreciatively over at him. His hair looked casually tousled and he wore a teal t-shirt with his signature shorts.

‘Ready to order?’ said a smiling waitress, who was clearly also appreciating Ben’s good looks as her gaze lingered on him.

Bella felt herself prickle in annoyance. Then checked herself for getting possessive. What had come over her?

Ben grinned easily at everyone and was extremely charming. A bit like Luke.

‘Have you met your mum’s new neighbour?’ she asked, in a bid to make conversation.

‘Luke?’ He shook his head. ‘Not properly. Mum said he’s been busy writing his book and is away in London for a bit. She said she would introduce him properly when he’s back. He’s an actor or something?’

‘Erm, yes, though not someone obviously famous.’ Bella studied his face for any signs of worry or concern. But there were none. She had to assume Rosie hadn’t said anything yet and she would leave it for Ben to bring it up with her. The last thing she wanted to do was gossip and create any issues.

‘Mum has invited me home for dinner tonight,’ he said. ‘And you’re very welcome to come too. If you want to.’

Bella sighed. ‘I’m on the early shift tomorrow and the last bus isn’t very late. By the time I get there, I will probably have to leave again.’

‘It’s fine,’ he said casually. ‘You know, Mum, she is very laidback. She did say you may be working but to make sure I invited you.’

After a hearty breakfast of rolls with Lorne sausage and coffee, they walked the length of the beach and back before Bella suggested that she show him around the hotel.

‘I can show you my place if you want,’ she had suggested then worried that was too forward.

Why would he want to see her little room?

‘Sure,’ he said.

The rest of the day had flown by and Bella had given Ben the full tour of the hotel, quickly showed him her room — grateful that there were no knickers lying on the floor — and then, not realising he was so close to her, she had spun round and collided with his chest and felt herself blush as she muttered an apology.

He had smelt amazing, like fresh laundry mixed with a gentle scent of woody aftershave.

Both had paused and she wondered if he might kiss her.

He was standing so very close to her. Then one of her housemates had arrived home, singing loudly, which had ruined the moment.

She had managed to contain herself by quickly suggesting she take him to the spa to show him where she worked.

Then she had given him a tour of the hotel grounds with its beautiful, manicured lawns and the benches which were tucked away in corners, surrounded by rose bushes.

Ben had stared in wonder at the setting. ‘What an incredible spot,’ he said, looking over at the patchwork of hills behind them. ‘You know, sometimes we forget that the things we are searching for are right in front of us,’ he said, looking at her thoughtfully.

Bella paused, wondering if he had just said what she thought he had.

Or whether he was referring to his recent travels.

There she went again, reading into things.

‘Do you fancy a drink before you head back to your mum’s?

’ she suggested quickly. ‘I know a wee bar not far from here, which I think you will love.’

He raised an eyebrow and wiggled it suggestively. ‘Sure, lead the way.’

When they were both settled with drinks and sitting on a bench at the beach bar, Ben sighed. ‘This is the life, eh? I remember when you showed me pictures of this place; I said it looked like the type of bar I went to in Bali.’

The sky was blue and streaked with pink and white clouds and the water was perfectly still.

Bella took a swig of her beer, wondering if he was thinking about Mabel. ‘Yes, I can imagine there are lots of fabulous spots over there. In fact, I saw some of your pictures on Instagram. With some of your friends . . .’

Ben nodded and raked a hand through his hair. ‘Yes, we had a lot of good times there. Though I haven’t posted any pictures recently?’ He looked bemused.

‘Oh, I noticed your friend Mabel had tagged you in them,’ said Bella casually.

Ben pulled out his phone and quickly looked at his account. ‘Ah, right, I’d forgotten about these. They were taken just after Easter. She must have forgotten to post them.’ He paused and looked at Bella. ‘These are from way back.’

Bella kept her response as casual as she could, even though the way Ben was looking at her made her in no doubt that him and Mabel were not together. She wanted to punch the air and shout Ya beauty . She cleared her throat. ‘Oh, I see. And is Mabel still around?’

Ben shook his head vehemently. ‘No, she moved on. Thank goodness. It was a bit awkward as she got very full on very quickly. The last I heard she was volunteering with orangutangs in the Borneo Rainforest.’

‘Oh,’ said Bella, slightly lost for words.

‘Do you want to know something,’ he said, taking a sip of his drink. ‘It was a fun relationship to begin with but when I started texting you, I realised I didn’t know much about Mabel in the way I did you.’

Bella realised she was holding her breath.

‘I found myself wanting to know about your day and not hers.’ He looked intently at her.

She sat back, trying her very best to look casual, although she was fizzing with excitement.

‘Hopefully we will have plenty of time to spend together, Bella. Especially now I’m here for the summer at least.’

Bella blushed. ‘Hopefully. Anyway,’ she added quickly, ‘your mum will love having you here for a bit. She is amazing, you know.’

‘I know. She has been through a lot. But somehow, she is still as graceful and dignified as ever, despite what my dad did.’ He paused. ‘That was the thing I wanted to ask your advice on.’

‘What?’

He lowered his voice. ‘I’ve been going round and round in circles, wondering whether to tell her or not . . . but my dad’s new partner is expecting a baby.’

Bella gasped. ‘Oh.’

‘I know. That was my reaction when he told me. But I knew he wouldn’t have the balls to tell Mum. So, I did. I spoke to her yesterday.’

‘Oh, Ben,’ she whispered. ‘I’m sorry. That can’t have been easy.’

‘It was actually easier than I thought. She took it fairly well.’

‘She’s one of the strongest women I know. You should be proud of her.’

Ben looked down at his feet for a moment and she saw him wiping away a tear. His voice was choked with emotion. ‘I am. She’s my superhero.’

‘Oh, Ben . . .’ she said, moving closer to him and clasping his hand in hers. They sat together in silence for a few moments. ‘Your mum deserves to be happy.’

‘I agree. I wonder if she will meet someone.’

Bella froze, not knowing how to reply.

‘I hope she does,’ he said. ‘She is one in a million.’

And just like that, Bella let out a breath of relief. She had a feeling that Ben might be more accepting of Luke than Rosie was anticipating. ‘How about you, Ben? Is it weird to think you will have a sibling?’

‘Yup, it is. After wanting a brother or sister the whole time I was growing up, to then accepting that I would always be an only child . . . let’s just say it will be weird to have a sibling who is twenty-four years younger than me.

But it’s not the baby’s fault. I just need to try and be kind and accepting.

At least there are a few months for me to get my head around it all.

’ There was a small crease of worry on his forehead but then he shrugged his shoulders and smiled at Bella.

She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him.

What an amazing thing to say. Was Ben too good to be true?

She flicked her glance away from him for a moment then realised she could see a ferry in the distance.

That was strange. She knew the last ferry from Ardrossan left at six o’clock.

Surely it was well after that time. She looked back at Ben who was leaning towards her as though he was about to say something when she suddenly glanced at her watch.

It was after nine. The ferry must be very late.

Ben then looked at his watch too. ‘Shit,’ he said, quickly finishing his beer. ‘I didn’t realise that was the time.’ He jumped up off the bench. ‘I’d better go if I’m going to catch the bus.’

Bella giggled as she pulled her shoes back on, which she had automatically kicked off when they’d walked on to the sand and picked up her bag.

She grabbed his hand again. ‘The bus stop isn’t far.

Come on. Let’s go.’ Ben clutched her hand tightly as they ran towards the road, panting for breath and laughing.

They made it with seconds to spare and Ben kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

‘Thank you for a lovely day,’ he murmured and looked at her with longing.

Bella had an urge to grab him and ask him to stay.

‘Are you on or are you off mate?’ said the cheery bus driver who was smiling in amusement.

Ben looked at Bella questioningly.

‘He’s staying here,’ she said boldly.

The bus driver grinned, closed the doors and gave them a wee wave as he drove off.

Ben chewed his bottom lip as he looked at her. Then he cupped Bella’s face in his hands and gently kissed her on the lips. She didn’t hesitate to kiss him back.